Straight Time (1978)

Directed by Ulu Grosbard. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Theresa Russell, Harry Dean Stanton, M. Emmet Walsh, Gary Busey, Rita Taggart, Kathy Bates. [R]

Gripping, oft-overlooked crime drama with a superior against-type performance from Hoffman as Max Dembo, a quintessential film noir subject—an ex-con who wants to go straight, but gets driven back to a life of crime by the hostile system and personal demons he can’t overcome. Aside from a few jolting melodramatic moments (e.g., Max getting the upper hand on his loutish parole officer and abandoning the guy in a compromising position on the side of the road), the movie shudders with so much gritty texture and authenticity, I didn’t even mind that we’re only given a glimpse into Max’s impulses and survival instincts, not the root of his recidivist criminal behavior—a series of mug shots during the concluding fade reminds us he’s been in trouble with the law since he was a pre-adolescent. Smart casting among the supporting players, including M. Emmet Walsh as the parole officer, Theresa Russell in just her second film role as an earnest young woman who gets involved with the parolee before he goes back to his old ways, and Harry Dean Stanton as an old partner in crime. Edward Bunker co-scripted (with Jeffrey Boam and Alvin Sargent) from his book, “No Beast So Fierce”, and also acts in a small part. First properly-credited film role for Kathy Bates; Busey’s real-life son, Jake, plays his onscreen son. Hoffman was originally slated to make his directorial debut here but relinquished duties to Ulu Grosbard shortly after production began.

86/100